Swans to host 'China-themed' AFL game as league boss flags ...

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has confirmed a report Sydney will host a China-themed game later this month.

Nine reported on Friday the Sydney Swans’ game against West Coast in round 15 would be attended by senior Chinese and Australian government officials, with the aim of growing the game among Australia’s Chinese community.

China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, is among several high-ranking government officials expected at a sold out pre-game function at the SCG, as well as AFL CEO-elect Andrew Dillon.

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There will be a dragon dance performance on the SCG surface before the match, with Qian to toss the coin.

On the eve of the match, the AFL is also set to release the book Celestial Footy: the Story of Chinese Heritage Aussie Rules by Patrick Skene.

McLachlan confirmed the initiative on Nine radio.

“I think Sydney are - through the leadership of Richard Colless - wanting to have a more meaningful relationship with Chinese-Australians and wanting them to come to the footy,” he said.

“There’s a few component pieces. I think there’s a diplomacy piece, but there’s a book that’s been written around the history of Chinese-Australians in our game and the history of China in our game. There’s a piece and then there’s a themed game.

“It’s just trying to reconnect with what is a very meaningful part of Australia and a growing part.”

McLachlan said the league would “love” to have a future star of the game be of Chinese background.

He also flagged the league had been talking about having an AFL Academy for people of Chinese and Indian descent.